Disconnectable electrical connector

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is electrical connecting apparatus including a cable connecting portion and a transversely extending bushing assembly conductively coupled to the electrical apparatus, the cable connecting portion and the bushing assembly portion being disconnectably coupled by way of a socket and socket engaging means located at the situs of the coupling. The socket engaging means comprises a conductive plug having a plurality of resilient extending fingers mateably received by the socket, and means are provided for disconnecting the cable connecting portion from the bushing assembly portion by use of a hot stick.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3, McClain [4 Dec. 9, 1975 DISCONNECTABLE ELECTRICAL 3,585,568 6/1971 Hervig 339/60 R CONNECTOR 3,622,940 11/1971 Illies 339/94 R [75] Inventor: James E. McClain, Greenville, Tex. [73] Assignee: Esco Manufacturing Company,

Greenville, Tex.

[22] Filed: Dec. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 315,637

[52] US. Cl 339/60 C; 339/61 R; 339/103 R; 339/11 1 [51] Int. CI. H01R 11/02 [58] Field of Search.... 339/59 R, 60 R, 61 R, 94 R, 339/111, 60 C, 103 R, 177 R, 75 R, 129, 91 R, 108

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,079,580 2/1963 Paasche 339/94 R 3,509,516 4/1970 Phillips 339/111 X Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-DeWalden W. Jones Attorney, Agent, or Firm1(enneth R. Glaser [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is electrical connecting apparatus including a cable connecting portion and a transversely extending bushing assembly conductively coupled to the electrical apparatus, the cable connecting portion and the bushing assembly portion being disconnectably coupled by way of a socket and socket engaging means located at the situs of the coupling. The socket engaging means comprises a conductive plug having a plurality of resilient extending fingers mateably received by the socket, and means are provided for disconnecting the cable connecting portion from the bushing assembly portion by use of a hot stick.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures swam US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 9/? 0 mm NNK mm EN Y N ON VN mm N MEL DISCONNECTABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, more particularly to electrical connectors for high voltage electrical systems, and even more particularly to mateably disconnectable electrical connectors for coupling high voltage electrical cables with electrical apparatus.

The need for coupling electrical power to and from high voltage electrical apparatus has resulted in the development of many types of electrical connection apparatus ranging from complex automatic switching equipment to simple plug-in type connectors. One class of commonly employed plug-in type electrical connectors utilizes an elbow assembly comprising a first portion conductively coupled to the high voltage cable and a second transversely extending portion conductively coupled to the electrical apparatus by way of a bushing assembly extending through an opening in the housing of the apparatus. The first and second portions are rigidly coupled together normally by way of a threaded coupling means. While this type of connector has generally served its intended purpose, difficulties are often encountered when it is necessary to disconnect the cable from the apparatus. Specifically, since the various portions of the connector itself are rigidly joined, the disconnection, when required, demands that the high voltage cable be physically uncoupled from the connector assembly, an extremely inconvenient procedure considering the fact that these cables are normally very large and bulky. Furthermore, in the case of underground distribution networks, the relative inaccessibility to the cables further complicates the disconnection procedure.

It is therefore a primary object of the present inven tion to provide a new and improved electrical connector assembly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for the disconnection of the high voltage power cable from the electrical apparatus without physically uncoupling the cable itself.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an electrical connector assembly particularly useful in underground electrical distribution networks.

It is an even further object of the invention to provide electrical connector assembly having relatively simple construction capable of economical fabrication.

In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly having a cable connecting portion disconnectably coupled to the electrical apparatus bushing assembly. Specifically, uniquely designed male and female mateably engaging portions are respectively provided at the situs of the connection of the cable connecting portion with the bushing assembly, means being provided on the cable connecting portion to enable the hot stick disconnection of these coupled parts.

Additional features, as well as further objects and advantages, of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, substantially in cross section, of the electrical connector assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view illustrating the construction of, and cooperating relationship between, the mateably engaging portions at the situs of the interconnection of the cable connecting portion and the bushing assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is depicted the electrical connector assembly 10, constructed according to the teachings of the invention, for electrically connecting a high voltage cable 11 with electrical apparatus disposed within the housing 12. The type of electrical apparatus within the housing 12, and the details thereof, are not material to the present invention, and could be, for example, a distribution transformer, an electrical switch etc., all as conventionally known in the art.

The connector assembly 11) broadly includes a cable connector subassembly 16 to which the cable 11 is coupled and a bushing subassembly 17 extending through the apparatus housing 12 and electrically connected to the electrical apparatus disposed therein. As subsequently described, the cable connector subassembly 16 when joined to the bushing subassembly 17 electrically couples cable 11 with the electrical apparatus.

The cable connector subassembly 16 includes a conductive rod 20 having a plurality of axially related step portions 20a, 20b, and 20c. A generally cylindrical T- shaped jacket 21 has an extending portion 21a disposed around the major portion of the length of the conductor 20, the jacket 21 comprising a main body portion 22 of insulating material, preferably insulating elastomeric material, and an outer surface portion 23, preferably of conductive elastomeric material, providing a semiconductive shielding therefor. As depicted in FIG. 1, the surface portions 23 engage the outer surface of the stepped portion 20a of the cable connector.

The high voltage cable 11 includes a central conductor 13 disposed within an insulating jacket 14.- around which is disposed a conductive shield 15, all as is conventionally known in the art. The end of the cable 11 is coaxially terminated within an axially extending opening in the end of the conductive rod 20, and is thereby electrically connected thereto.

Threadably coupled to the axially extending end por tion 20c is a conductive body 24- having an internally defined socket 25 therein. The body 24 is snugly received within a seat defined by the circumferentially extending walls at the lower end of an insulating support body 26, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As subsequently described in greater detail, the body 24 is aligned with one end of the conductive rod of the bushing assembly 17 so as to allow the socket 25 to removably receive the conductive stud at the end of this conductive rod. As pictured in the drawing, the support body 26 is snugly received and confined by a portion of the body 22 of the jacket 21.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, as clearly depicted in FIG. l, a plug 23 of conductive material is disposed within, and extends through, the insulating support body 26 to a position adjacent, but spaced from, the conductive body 24; the conductive plug 28 thus provides a voltage test point for the entire connector assembly. Accordingly, and for this purpose, an insulating cap 29, preferably elastomeric material, can be removed from the end portion of the plug 28 by way of the pull ring 30, when it is de sired to probe the plug 28 to determine if the assembly is hot.

Extending through the apparatus housing 12, and affixed thereto by extensions 33, is an insulating housing 34 formed preferably of an insulating elastomer material. Axially extending through the jacket 34 is a cylindrical conductor 38 electrically coupled at its lower end (not shown) to the electrical apparatus within the housing 12. At its opposite end and threadably affixed thereto, is a conductive stud 70 having a plurality of resilient fingers or extensions 71 adapted to be received within the socket 25. It is to be noted that an electrically conductive path is defined between the electrical apparatus within the housing 12 and the projections or fingers 71. Thus, when the fingers 71 of the conductive stud 70 are disposed within the cavity 25, the conductive rod of the cable connector portion 16 is conductively coupled to the conductor 38, and electrical communication established between the cable and the apparatus. As is apparent by reference to the drawing, the conductive stud 70 can be alternatively inserted into or removed from the cavity 25, thus providing for a convenient disconnectable coupling between the cable and the electrical apparatus.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the resilient fingers or extensions 71 are illustrated. While any number of these fingers can be utilized consistent with the purpose of the invention, it has been found that the use of four such fingers (each occupying approximately ninety degrees along the circumference of the contact) provides an optimum number of conductive surfaces for effective current transferrence at the situs of the coupling. As depicted, an essentially 3-way contact is effected between the rod 38, body 24, and cable connecting conductive rod portion 200. Accordingly, an opening 100 is provided within the portion 20c to receive the body 24, and to enable the fingers 71 to pass therethrough into the socket 25.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the connector is illustrated with the cable connector 16 being joined, the fingers 71 of the stud 70 being firmly seated within the socket 25, and the end portion of the insulating jacket 34 being snugly received by the jacket 21, as illustrated. When it is desired to disconnect the cable 11 from the electrical apparatus, the cable connector portion 16 is lifted from the bushing assembly 17, thus uncoupling the socket from the finger extensions 71. As a particular feature of the present invention, and to assist in this disconnection, a body 92 having a ring 90 is clamped to the T- shaped jacket 21. Thus, when an elongated rod or hot stick 95 is inserted through the ring 90, the desired disconnection can be achieved by lifting the portion 16 from the assembly 17 with the hot stick. This feature is particularly advantageous when the connector assembly 10 is disposed underground.

Various modifications to the disclosed embodiment, as well as alternate embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Electrical connecting apparatus for disconnectably electrically coupling a high voltage electrical cable with electrical apparatus, comprising:

a. cable connecting means including an elongated first central conductor axially extending through an insulating jacket and adapted for coaxial termination with said cable, said first central conductor having an extending end portion thereof with an opening defined in said end portion; conductive body means rigidly affixed to said end portion and having a socket therein aligned with said opening; an insulating support body; said conductive body means disposed within said insulating support body; a conductive plug disposed within the base of said insulating support body and having an end portion spaced from said conductive body means, said conductive plug providing a conductive test point for said electrical connecting apparatus,

b. bushing assembly means including an elongated second central conductor axially extending through an insulating .jacket for electrical connection with said electrical apparatus,

c. said second central conductor having socket engaging means provided at one end thereof, said socket engaging means comprising a plurality of conductive resilient extensions which extend. through said opening into said socket, and

d. means attached to said cable connecting means to enable the lifting of said cable connecting means out of coupling engagement with said bushing assembly.

-2. The apparatus as defined by claim E wherein each of said resilient extensions extend along a substantially arc.

3. In a high voltage electrical connector assembly for electrically coupling a high voltage electrical cable with electrical apparatus, the said connector assembly being of the type comprising a bushing assembly for mounting in the housing of said electrical apparatus and in cluding a first insulating jacket and first elongated cen tral conductor axially extending through said first jacket; and a cable connector assembly for coaxial termination with said high voltage electrical cable and including a second insulating jacket and second eiongated central conductor axially extending through said second jacket transverse to said first elongated central conductor; the improvement comprising means to be disposed at the intersection of said bushing assembiy and said cable connector assembly for disconnectably electrically coupling said first and second elongated central conductors and joining said cable connector assembly with said bushing assembly, wherein said means comprises:

a. a first electrically conductive body adapted for rigid coupling engagement with the end portion of said second elongated central conductor at said intersection and defining a socket therein axially aligned with said first elongated central conductor; and

b. a second electrically conductive body adapted for rigid coupling with, and having socket engaging means axially aligned with, the end portion of said first elongated central conductor at said intersec tion, said second conductive body to be received within said socket and comprising a plurality of conductive resilient extensions disconnectably receivable within said socket.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 further including, in combination, means coupled to said cabie connector assembly at a location which enables the lifting of said cable connector assembly out of joinder with said bushing assembly.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said resilient extensions extend along a substantially 90 arc.

6.'The improvement as defined by claim 3 wherein said first-electrically conductive body is received within a recess defined in an insulating support body joined with said second insulating jacket and further includes, in combination, a conductive plug disposed within said provlde a test pomt for sand Connector assembly insulating support body and having an end portion spaced from said first electrically conductive body to 

1. Electrical connecting apparatus for disconnectably electrically coupling a high voltage electrical cable with electrical apparatus, comprising: a. cable connecting means including an elongated first central conductor axially extending through an insulating jacket and adapted for coaxial termination with said cable, said first central conductor having an extending end portion thereof with an opening defined in said end portion; conductive body means rigidly affixed to said end portion and having a socket therein aligned with said opening; an insulating support body; said conductive body means disposed within said insulating support body; a conductive plug disposed within the base of said insulating support body and having an end portion spaced from said conductive body means, said conductive plug providing a conductive test point for said electrical connecting apparatus, b. bushing assEmbly means including an elongated second central conductor axially extending through an insulating jacket for electrical connection with said electrical apparatus, c. said second central conductor having socket engaging means provided at one end thereof, said socket engaging means comprising a plurality of conductive resilient extensions which extend through said opening into said socket, and d. means attached to said cable connecting means to enable the lifting of said cable connecting means out of coupling engagement with said bushing assembly.
 2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said resilient extensions extend along a substantially 90* arc.
 3. In a high voltage electrical connector assembly for electrically coupling a high voltage electrical cable with electrical apparatus, the said connector assembly being of the type comprising a bushing assembly for mounting in the housing of said electrical apparatus and including a first insulating jacket and first elongated central conductor axially extending through said first jacket; and a cable connector assembly for coaxial termination with said high voltage electrical cable and including a second insulating jacket and second elongated central conductor axially extending through said second jacket transverse to said first elongated central conductor; the improvement comprising means to be disposed at the intersection of said bushing assembly and said cable connector assembly for disconnectably electrically coupling said first and second elongated central conductors and joining said cable connector assembly with said bushing assembly, wherein said means comprises: a. a first electrically conductive body adapted for rigid coupling engagement with the end portion of said second elongated central conductor at said intersection and defining a socket therein axially aligned with said first elongated central conductor; and b. a second electrically conductive body adapted for rigid coupling with, and having socket engaging means axially aligned with, the end portion of said first elongated central conductor at said intersection, said second conductive body to be received within said socket and comprising a plurality of conductive resilient extensions disconnectably receivable within said socket.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 further including, in combination, means coupled to said cable connector assembly at a location which enables the lifting of said cable connector assembly out of joinder with said bushing assembly.
 5. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said resilient extensions extend along a substantially 90* arc.
 6. The improvement as defined by claim 3 wherein said first electrically conductive body is received within a recess defined in an insulating support body joined with said second insulating jacket and further includes, in combination, a conductive plug disposed within said insulating support body and having an end portion spaced from said first electrically conductive body to provide a test point for said connector assembly. 